Day 2 Protests: Military clears miscreants out of Abuja highways
AS the national strike against hunger and bad governance enters the second day, normalcy appears to be coming back to some of the Abuja suburbs as the military has driven out the miscreants that harassed and extorted motorists and passersby on Thursday.
The first day of the protest was like a hell for motorists and residents of Abuja in Kubwa, Dei-Dei, Dutse, Dawaki, Gwarimpa areas as well as Karshi, Kurudi, Jikwoyi and Karu axis as stretch urchins took over the major highways and erected toll gates they used to extort motorists especially in Kubwa axis.
They also set up burn fires, shouting, in Hausa language, ‘bama yi,” (we don’t support the government), ‘there is hunger in the land’, among others.
The expressway was blocked by the miscreants, who prevented normal movement of traffic.
Some commuters reported being harassed and stripped of their phones and other valuables in the area and
security agents struggled for hours to disperse the hoodlums.
However, Saturday Vanguard gathered that calm returns to some major cities of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, on Friday, the second day of the national protest
Most major roads at seat of power were deserted with security personnel in riot gears stationed at strategic places ostensibly to avoid a repeat of the chaotic environment witnessed during Thursday.
Many residents did not come out for their usual daily schedules as they waited to see the direction of events on what was supposed to be the second day of the 10-day protest.
The few commuters who ventured out had a hard time getting means of transportation to their destinations.
While roads that were blocked on Thursday were opened, but many business premises were still shut even though no gatherings of protesters or miscreants were visible.
However, some vehicles were still seen with green leaves as a sign of solidarity with the protest.
The security around the villa remained heightened with fully kitted soldiers mounting all gates leading to the seat of power.
Recall that the Kurudu axis was also taken over on Thursday, by miscreants in the guise of protesting over bad governance.
Commuters were forced to turn back after being confronted by protesters made up of mainly commercial tricycle (Keke Napep) riders who also brandished green tree branches, cudgels and other dangerous implements.
Their action completely cut off movement from Karshi town to other parts of the nation’s capital city.
Banks and traders also hurriedly closed their shops for fear of being looted by the miscreants.
Police were seen mobilizing at the Kurudu police station apparently in preparation to storm the protest area to restore order.
Scores of military men were also sighted in the Kurudu market area monitoring the situation.
Some of the protesters who had attempted to gather at Eagle Square in the morning, were beaten back by the police who used tear gas.
Many of the them however obeyed the court order limiting the protest to the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.
Violence was reported in Mararaba, just outside the federal territory.
